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Immune and hematologic alterations associated with CD4+ T-cell depletion in people living with HIV in Morocco

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: HIV infection presents significant challenges globally, as it affects the immune and hematologic systems through complex mechanisms. This study aimed to assess changes in immune and hematologic cell populations in HIV-infected patients, with a focus on the relationships between CD4+ T-cell counts and peripheral cell levels. This retrospective analysis included 1,293 HIV-infected adult patients enrolled from the immunology department of the University Hospital in collaboration with the infectiology and biological hematology departments. The patients were divided into two groups. Group 1 ( 1,200 patients) underwent complete blood count (CBC) and CD4 T-cell count determination, whereas Group 2 ( 93 patients) benefited from T (CD3/CD4/CD8), B (CD19) and NK (CD16/56) cell immunophenotyping. Statistical analyses were performed via SPSS software, and the results were considered significant when the p value was less than 0.05. The mean age of patients was 45±10 years. (range: 35–55), with a sex ratio of 1:2. Among the 1,293 HIV-infected patients, 43,2% presented low CD4+ T-cell counts, which was associated with significant changes in immune and hematological parameters as follows: patients with CD4+ T-cell counts below 200 cells/µL presented reductions in the number of polymorphonuclear cells (PNN) to 300 cells/µL (p = 0.002), in eosinophils to 120 cells/µL (p = 0.004), in basophils to 25 cells/µL (p = 0.03), and in monocytes to 250 cells/µL (p = 0.01), whereas the CD8+ T-cell count increased to 850 cells/µL (p = 0.001). From a hematological point of view, the number of erythrocytes was reduced to 4.0 million cells/µL (p = 0.01), and the number of platelets was reduced to 230,000 cells/µL (p = 0.005). Our findings highlight the importance of monitoring CD4+ T-cell counts in parallel with CBC counts as indicators of immune and hematologic dysfunctions in HIV patients. These insights can guide targeted interventions to improve immune responses and hematologic stability, ultimately enhancing the clinical management and quality of life of individuals living with HIV. Further research is warranted to explore the underlying mechanisms and develop innovative therapeutic approaches.

Source: AIDS Research and Therapy

DOI: 10.1186/s12981-026-00856-7